Monthly Archives: October 2013

The John W. Bressmer Co. was founded as a dry goods store in 1861 and later expanded into a full-fledged department store, selling men’s and women’s clothing, furniture and household items. With Myers Brothers, it was one of downtown Springfield’s … Continue reading →

Beaches at Lake Springfield were segregated until 1952. The Lake Springfield Beach, near Lindsay Bridge, was open only to whites. Blacks were restricted to using Bridgevew Beach, which was on the south side of the lake. The city of Springfield … Continue reading →

Moses Broadwell (1764-1827), a Revolutionary War veteran, moved to Sangamon County with his family in 1820 and settled along Richland Creek, a mile east of the present-day community of Pleasant Plains. There they built a home and a traveler’s inn … Continue reading →

Rev. Henry Brown (1823-1906) was an African Methodist Episcopal preacher in Springfield and elsewhere. He worked in various capacities for the Abraham Lincoln family and led “Old Bob,” the Lincoln family horse, in President Lincoln’s funeral procession. He also was … Continue reading →

Grocer Jacob Bunn Sr. (1814-97) and his younger brother John Whitfield Bunn (1831-1920) began a family whose energy and initiative have helped mold Springfield for more than 150 years. Their business interests have ranged from the original Springfield Marine Bank … Continue reading →

Camp Dunne was a temporary military mustering facility at the Illinois State Fairgrounds prior to the United States’ entry into World War I. The 1st Infantry, commanded by Col. Joseph Sanborn, became part of the 33rd Division. Edward F. Dunne … Continue reading →